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Brewers may be in running for Rays’ Price

Posted on Jul 29, 2014 at 8:41 a.m.

The Sports Xchange

ST. PETERSBURG — As the baseball world waits to see whether the Tampa Bay Rays will deal ace lefty David Price before Thursday’s non-waiver trade deadline, the Milwaukee Brewers appear to have put themselves in the conversation.

The Brewers, known for making some big deadline deals in recent years, have “put their foot in the water” with regard to Price, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi. It’s unclear if Milwaukee would have enough interest, or the requisite prospects, to make such a swap happen. Any package for Price would probably include rookie right-hander Jimmy Nelson, according to FOX.

This adds some intrigue to this three-game series at Tropicana Field between the Brewers and Rays, with Price scheduled to start Wednesday’s day game. The Dodgers, Cardinals and Mariners are thought to be the main candidates to land Price, who says he’s pitching better than he ever has, including his 2012 Cy Young Award-winning season.

The Rays (52-54), who have won 10 of their last 11 to climb back within striking distance of a playoff spot, may hold onto Price. But Brewers general manager Doug Melvin has a track record for being aggressive with deals, including acquiring CC Sabathia in 2008 and Zack Greinke in 2010 as the main examples.

Milwaukee leads the NL Central, and adding Price would really bolster a rotation that also includes veteran right-handers Kyle Lohse and Matt Garza, along with Yovani Gallardo. Price is eligible for arbitration next season, likely to make around $20 million, before becoming a free agent after the 2015 season.